Introduction of overseas research bases
Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia (HUCZCZ)
Development of research and human resources for the control of zoonoses at the Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia
Hokkaido University has been conducting joint research with the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia (UNZA-Vet Med) for 40 years, as well as faculty development.
As a result, we have established a strong mutual trust relationship and successful collaboration research.
Currently, we have set up BSL2 and BSL3 laboratories, ultracentrifuges, sequencers, next-generation sequencers, an animal facility equipped with isolators, a mobile laboratory truck equipped with BSL-3 support equipment, and other equipment at the Hokudai Center for Zoonosis Control in Zambia (HUCZCZ).
Our research focuses on the following infectious diseases:
1) viral zoonoses caused by arboviruses, hemorrhagic fever viruses, respiratory viruses, enteric viruses, hepatitis viruses, rabies viruses and so on,
2) bacterial zoonoses caused by tuberculosis, borrelia, rickettsia, cholera, anthrax, AMR and so on,
3) protozoan zoonoses caused by Leishmania, Trypanosoma, Cryptosporidium and so on). We have kept samples, including serum from humans, cattle, bats and other species for seroepidemiological study, and organs from bats, rodents and other species for detection and isolation of pathogens, and nucleic acids from animals and arthropods.
We are now extensively investigating the transmission routes for Marburg viruses transmitted by fruits bats using viral, phylogenetical, behavioral using GPS tracking, and genetic approach. We are also conducting blood-sucking arthropods inhabit the cave where Marburg virus was detected in fruits bats and survey on Leishmania.
Major papers and achievements
- Isolation and Characterization of Distinct Rotavirus A in Bat and Rodent Hosts. J Virol. 2023 Jan 31;97(1):e0145522.
- Autochthonous Leishmania infantum in Dogs, Zambia, 2021. Emerg Infect Dis. 2022 Apr;28(4):888-890.
- Detection of B.1.351 SARS-CoV-2 Variant Strain - Zambia, December 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021 Feb 26;70(8):280-282.
- Hepatitis E virus infection in pigs: a first report from Zambia. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2021 Dec;10(1):2169-2172.
- Marburgvirus in Egyptian Fruit Bats, Zambia. Emerg Infect Dis. 2019 Aug;25(8):1577-1580.
Greetings from the Director
Collaboration work between UNZA-Vet Med and Hokkaido University has been continued for 40 years since its establishment. Lots of counterparts who have had Ph.D. in Japan at UNZA-Vet Med and other research institutions work together with us. Based on the strong relationships of trust and mutual understanding that we have developed over many years, we have been able to continue our research activities very smoothly. In HUCZCZ, we have conducted a comprehensive survey of known and unknown zoonotic pathogens in wildlife, livestock, poultry, arthropods, and humans in Zambia, and also established a pathological analysis system for isolated pathogens. We are also developing rapid detection methods and risk assessments for drug-resistant bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We would be grateful if as many researchers as possible would use the HUCZCZ to promote their research.
Research Director or Center Director: Hirofumi Sawa
Position: Distinguished Professor, Hokkaido University
Degree: M.D., Ph.D. (Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine)
Biography
| 2023/04 - Present | Professor/Director, Institute for Vaccine Research and Development (IVReD), Hokkaido University |
|---|---|
| 2021/04 - 2023/03 | Professor, Department of Molecular Pathobiology, International Institute for Zoonosis Control |
| 2005/04 - 2021/03 | Professor, Department of Molecular Pathobiology, Research Center for Zoonosis Control, Hokkaido University |